Palestinian student activist arrested at US citizenship interview

An organiser of pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University has been arrested. This happened while he attended an interview for his US citizenship application, according to his lawyer.

Mohsen Mahdawi is a green card holder. He is set to graduate next month from the New York City college. He was detained on Monday in Colchester, Vermont.

His lawyer claims Mr. Mahdawi was taken into custody "in direct retaliation" for his protests against the Israel-Gaza war. Other protesters, like Mahmoud Khalil from Columbia and Rumeysa Ozturk from Tufts, have also been detained.

The BBC has reached out to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for more information about Mr. Mahdawi's case.

Social media videos show him being escorted by two officers in police jackets. His lawyer, Luna Droubi, stated that the Trump administration detained him due to his advocacy for Palestinians.

She added that this detention aims to silence voices against Gaza's atrocities and is unconstitutional. The attorney filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent immigration authorities from moving or expelling Mr. Mahdawi.

Judge William Sessions quickly granted that order. Court documents reveal that Mr. Mahdawi was born in a West Bank refugee camp and moved to the US in 2014.

He is described as a committed Buddhist who values non-violence and empathy in his beliefs. Ms. Droubi noted that Mr. Mahdawi's current whereabouts are unknown.

Mr. Mahdawi co-founded Columbia's Palestinian Student Society and criticizes Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Last December, he accused Israel of genocide during an interview with CBS' 60 Minutes, which Israel denies.

His detention occurs amid an immigration crackdown by President Trump's administration. Last month, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the revocation of at least 300 foreign students' visas to combat antisemitism on campuses.

Critics argue that officials falsely accuse students of anti-Jewish bigotry and violate their free speech rights. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders stated that Mr. Mahdawi was illegally detained during his citizenship process.

He emphasized that Mr. Mahdawi must receive due process and be released immediately from detention. Judge Sessions also held a hearing regarding Rumeysa Ozturk’s case after her arrest last month by immigration authorities.

He questioned whether not releasing her would lead to a "constitutional crisis." Meanwhile, lawyers for Mahmoud Khalil are challenging an immigration judge's ruling allowing his deportation as a national security risk.

Khalil was detained outside his campus accommodation last month and transferred to a Louisiana detention center.